Sugar Land Space Cowboys 4, Chihuahuas 2 (F/11)
Key Statistics: RHP Aaron Brooks, 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K; RHP Moises Lugo, 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K; 2B Jarryd Dale, 2-for-4, RBI; C Chandler Seagle, 2-for-4
Chandler Seagle had a pair of hits for El Paso. (Photo: Jorge Salgado)
Prospect Watch: The Chihuahuas’ pitching staff put up an impressive fight in what was essentially a bullpen game, but the offense couldn’t provide enough run support to finish the deal, and El Paso fell in extra innings. … Aaron Brooks took the mound to start the game, making his fourth start of the season. Brooks was impressive, throwing three innings of one-hit ball, walking one, and striking out two. The 33-year-old righty is 4-3 with a 4.95 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 63.2 innings in the 2023 season, all with El Paso. After spending the 2020 and 2021 seasons in Korea, Brooks has signed minor league free agent contracts each of the last two years. … Moises Lugo delivered two no-hit innings, walking two and striking out two to bounce back from two consecutive rough appearances. The 24-year-old owns a 5.40 ERA in September, a marked improvement over August’s 6.17 mark and a 9.35 in July, following a scoreless 4.2 innings in June. The 24-year-old righty came into the year with a chance to reach the big league bullpen, but has seen his season go sideways. … Injuries have limited Jarryd Dale to 78 at-bats in the 2023 season. Still, he’s made good work of it, posting a .763 OPS across three levels, including a .762 mark with El Paso in 10 at-bats since being promoted from Fort Wayne. With the TinCaps season over, Dale is getting work in with the Chihuahuas, and tonight’s 2-for-4 performance is a season highlight for the Australian infielder. … Also collecting a pair of hits was Chandler Seagle, who backstopped tonight’s marathon bullpen game. The 27-year-old Appalachian State alum is batting .241 with a .646 OPS since being promoted to El Paso.
Graham Pauley had three hits in Game 2. (Photo: Rey Holguin)
Amarillo Sod Poodles 7, Missions 4
Key Statistics: RHP Ryan Bergert 3.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 2 K, WP; RHP Gabe Mosser 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K; RHP Bobby Milacki, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K; RHP Carter Loewen, 1 IP, 2 K; 3B Graham Pauley, 3-for-5, 2B, RBI; CF Homer Bush Jr., 2-for-3, R, RBI
Carter Loewen threw a perfect inning in his Double-A debut. (Photo: Joe Alexander)
Prospect Watch: The Missions dropped the second game of the Texas League Division series, setting up a winner-take-all game three to be played Friday in San Antonio. Ryan Bergert, who had a strong sophomore campaign in the system, struggled with his control Thursday, giving up a pair of earned runs and three overall across just 3.2 innings. The righty from Ohio posted a 2.86 ERA with strong underlying numbers across 44 regular season innings for the Missions. … After the club fell behind early, San Antonio received a pair of solid bullpen performances, led by Bobby Milacki, who calmed things down with three innings of one-run ball. In 83 innings between the Missions and TinCaps in 2023, Milacki struck out 77 batters in 83 innings while posting an 8-6 record and 4.34 ERA. … After going 5-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 31.1 innings for the TinCaps, Carter Loewen was promoted to San Antonio to bolster their postseason bullpen. He delivered Thursday, throwing a perfect inning and striking out a pair of batters. The 24-year-old Loewen, signed after the 2020 draft, has worked his way up the system by striking out 92 batters in 74.2 innings in his three professional seasons. … Graham Pauley continues to collect accolades and turn heads with his play. Thursday’s 3-for-5 night with a double, RBI, and some smooth defense at third base will further that cause. The shoo-in for Padres’ minor league performer of the year, the Duke product slugged 23 home runs in 481 at-bats across three levels of the Padres organization, beginning the season in Lake Elsinore and ending it in San Antonio. … Homer Bush Jr. continues to impress in his brief time in Double-A, contributing a pair of hits, scoring a run, and driving one in as well. The 21-year-old outfielder, selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft out of Grand Canyon University, hit .429 in 28 at-bats in the regular season for San Antonio. … Adam Mazur will get the start on Friday as the Missions try to advance to the championship round.
